Associated information propagation system

ABSTRACT

An associated information system is provided that propagates visibility of associated information. The associated information system traces a data lineage of a data warehouse. The associated information system further identifies an association between a primary data element and an associated object, where the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link. The associated information system further stores a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents the primary link. The associated information system further identifies an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, where the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link, and where the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage. The associated information system further stores a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the secondary link.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/715,428, filed on Oct. 18, 2012, the subject matter of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

One embodiment is directed to a computer system, and more particularly,to a computer system that manages data.

BACKGROUND

A data warehouse can be used to store data used for reporting andanalysis. A computer system can collect data from multiple distributedsources and store the integrated data in data models within the datawarehouse. Users can apply transformations to the data in preparationfor data review, data analysis, and data mining based on the storeddata. Further, the data can often be associated with associatedinformation, such as comments, error reports, tags, and flags/stateinformation.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a system that propagates visibility of associatedinformation. The system traces a data lineage of a data warehouseincluding one or more data tables. The system further stores a firstassociated object mapping system record within an associated objectmapping system table that represents an association between a primarydata element of the data lineage and an associated object, where theassociation between the primary data element and the associated objectis identified as a primary link. The system further identifies anassociation between a secondary data element and the associated objectusing the data lineage, where the secondary data element is related tothe primary data element within the data lineage. The system furtherstores a second associated object mapping system record within theassociated object mapping system table that represents the associationbetween the secondary data element of the data lineage and theassociated object and that represents an association between the primarydata element and the secondary data element, and where the associationbetween the secondary data element and the associated object isidentified as a secondary link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further embodiments, details, advantages, and modifications will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can implement anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a logical data model for a system,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example data lineage, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example user interface that displays a datalineage, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model for a system,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a data lineage mapping table,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a shadow table, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model of a data lineagesubsystem, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an associated object mappingtable, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model of an associatedinformation subsystem, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a uniontransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example source data lineage trace of a pivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example target data lineage trace of a pivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example source data lineage trace of an unpivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example target data lineage trace of an unpivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a jointransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a casetransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flow diagram of the functionality of a datalineage module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow diagram of the functionality of an associatedinformation propagation module, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a system is provided that can provide a data lineagetracing through a pathway of one or more transformations performed on aset of data that can be stored within a data warehouse, where the set ofdata is stored within one or more tables, where each table includes oneor more data records. A “transformation” or “data transformation” is aconversion of one or more data records of a first format into one ormore data records of a second format, where a data record can includeone or more data values. For a given target data element, the system canidentify a set of source data elements that produced the target dataelement as well as a path from the set of source data elements to thetarget data element, where a “data element” includes a data value storedin a column of a data record. Similarly, for a given source dataelement, the system can identify an exact set of target data elementsthat are derived from the source data element as well as a path from thesource data element to each of the target data elements. Thus, thesystem can provide data lineage tracing information, in addition to thestored data within the data warehouse, to further facilitate an in-depthanalysis of the stored data. In certain embodiments, the stored datawithin the data warehouse can be stored within one or more “datarecords,” and the data lineage tracing information can be stored withinone or more “system records.” As defined here, a “data record” can beany type of record that stores data of the data warehouse, and a “systemrecord” can be any type of record that stores data lineage tracinginformation.

According to the embodiment, in order to trace data lineage from asource data element to a target data element, and vice-versa, the systemcan store the following data lineage tracing information for eachtransformation: (a) one or more metadata mappings from one or morecolumns in one or more source table definitions to each column in atarget table of a transformation, identified as “column mapping data,”which is metadata information regarding the data reorganization carriedout by the transformation; (b) one or more mappings from one or moreactual data records in one or more source tables to each actual datarecord in a target table populated by the execution of a transformation,identified as “record mapping data;” and (c) additional data lineagetracing information specific to the transformation, such as the type ofthe transformation. The column mapping data can be stored when atransformation is defined or it can be stored to describe the behaviorof an existing transformation program. Such transformation columnmapping data can include: (a) a source table and source column; (b) atarget table and target column; (c) a transformation type; and (d)additional information required for the specific transformation. Recordmapping data associated with data records processed by a transformationcan be stored when a transformation is executed. The record mapping datacan include: a) the identity of a source data record; b) the identity ofthe target data record; and c) additional information for the specifictransformation. The identity of a data record can be a single column, orcan include multiple columns, whose value(s) uniquely identify the datarecord within the data table, also known as a primary or unique key.According to the embodiment, each data record in a target table of atransformation can store an identity for a source data record thatprovided the data for one or more columns in the transformation for thattarget data record, where this identity is identified as a “source key.”In certain embodiments these identifying values can be combined into asingle value or “surrogate source key” that can be used to identify thedata record. In certain embodiments, the surrogate key can includeadditional information regarding the transformation used to transformthe source data record into the target data record. In situations wherea target data record contains data from multiple source data records,the target table can be extended with an appropriate number of columns,so that the target data record can store an appropriate number of sourcesurrogate keys. The system can then store the relationships between theone or more source surrogate key columns in the target table that holdthe record mapping data and the target columns associated with thecorresponding source tables stored as the column mapping data. Thiscombined data can be used by the system to provide a source or targetdata lineage trace for a data element.

In another embodiment, a system is provided that can leverage datalineage tracing information to support the visibility of “associatedinformation” or “associated objects” that are linked to data elements,and to propagate the associated information (i.e., associated objects)to related source data elements and target data elements for display andaccess. The system can also support the export of associated information(i.e., associated objects) to an external system through a path oftransformations within the data lineage to an external source for thedata.

According to the embodiment, an “associated object” can be anyassociated information (i.e., any information other than the dataelement that the associated object is associated with, or any other dataelement in the data warehouse that is already associated by datalineage) that is associated with a data element stored within the datawarehouse. One type of an associated object is an operational object.One or more associated objects can also be identified as “associatedinformation.” An example of an associated object is a “discrepancy.” A“discrepancy” is an indication that one or more characteristics of thedata element deviate from an expected characteristic. Such a deviationcan be human-detected or machine-detected based on one or moredata-driven rules. Further, a discrepancy can be created manually by auser of a system, or can be created automatically by the system, forexample, as a result of a validation of the data. An example of adiscrepancy is an error report. Other examples of associated objects caninclude, but are not limited to, a “comment,” a “status flag,” a “stateindicator,” a “tag,” an “image,” a “recording,” a “file,” a “link,” anda “document.” A “comment” is a collection of text entered by a user thatpertains to the data element. A “status flag” is an indication of astatus of the data element. A “state indicator” is an indication of astate of the data element. A “tag” is a word or phrase that pertains tothe data element. An “image” is an image that pertains to the dataelement. A “recording” is a recording of any audio or video thatpertains to the data element. A “file” is a computer file that pertainsto the data element. A “link” is a Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”)link that pertains to the data element. A “document” is an externaldocument that pertains to the data element. An associated object may belinked to either a data element or to an entire data record.

According to the embodiment, the system can store links betweenassociated objects and the data elements or data records associated withthe associated object. The data element or data record, where theassociated object was initially created, or originally associated (asthe associated object can be a pre-existing associated object), can bemarked as a primary link. The links generated by the system to providevisibility of the associated object within the data lineage, includingboth upstream of the data element or data record and downstream of thedata element or data record, can be marked as secondary links. Thus,according to the embodiment, an associated object, such as adiscrepancy, can be visible both upstream of the data element or datarecord and downstream of the data element or data record within the datalineage. To provide this visibility, the system can: (a) store a primarylink between the associated object and the data element (or datarecord); (b) trace source and target lineage of the data element (ordata record); (c) store one or more secondary links between theassociated object and each data element in the source and target tracefrom the primary data element; and (d) provide both primary andsecondary link information to a user interface for display of associatedobject visibility. Further, the links generated by the system can beused to obtain direct access to an associated object from an upstream ordownstream data element, as opposed to traversing a data lineage todetect the existence of the associated object.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 10 that can implement oneembodiment of the invention. System 10 includes a bus 12 or othercommunications mechanism for communicating information betweencomponents of system 10. System 10 also includes a processor 22,operatively coupled to bus 12, for processing information and executinginstructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general orspecific purpose processor. System 10 further includes a memory 14 forstoring information and instructions to be executed by processor 22.Memory 14 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory(“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”), static storage such as a magnetic oroptical disk, or any other type of machine or computer-readable medium.System 10 further includes a communication device 20, such as a networkinterface card or other communications interface, to provide access to anetwork. As a result, a user may interface with system 10 directly, orremotely through a network or any other method.

A computer-readable medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by processor 22. A computer-readable medium may include both avolatile and nonvolatile medium, a removable and non-removable medium, acommunication medium, and a storage medium. A communication medium mayinclude computer readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism, and may include any other form of informationdelivery medium known in the art. A storage medium may include RAM,flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”),registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory(“CD-ROM”), or any other form of storage medium known in the art.

Processor 22 can also be operatively coupled via bus 12 to a display 24,such as a Liquid Crystal Display (“LCD”). Display 24 can displayinformation to the user. A keyboard 26 and a cursor control device 28,such as a computer mouse, can also be operatively coupled to bus 12 toenable the user to interface with system 10.

According to one embodiment, memory 14 can store software modules thatmay provide functionality when executed by processor 22. The modules caninclude an operating system 15, an associated information propagationmodule 16, as well as other functional modules 18. Operating system 15can provide an operating system functionality for system 10. Associatedinformation propagation module 16 can provide functionality forpropagating visibility of associated information, as will be describedin more detail below. In certain embodiments, associated informationpropagation module 16 can comprise a plurality of modules, where eachmodule provides specific individual functionality for propagatingvisibility of associated information. System 10 can also be part of alarger system. Thus, system 10 can include one or more additionalfunctional modules 18 to include the additional functionality. Forexample, functional modules 18 may include modules that provideadditional functionality, such as a module of the “Oracle Life SciencesData Hub” product from Oracle Corporation. In one embodiment, functionalmodules 18 may include a data lineage module that can providefunctionality for tracing a data lineage, as will be described in moredetail below.

Processor 22 can also be operatively coupled via bus 12 to a database34. Database 34 can store data in an integrated collection oflogically-related data records, system records, or data files. Database34 can be an operational database, an analytical database, a datawarehouse, a distributed database, an end-user database, an externaldatabase, a navigational database, an in-memory database, adocument-oriented database, a real-time database, a relational database,an object-oriented database, a data management workbench, or any otherdatabase known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a logical data model for a system,according to an embodiment of the invention. The logical data model caninclude data lineage propagation module 200. Data lineage propagationmodule 200 is a module that can provide functionality for tracing a datalineage, as well as functionality for propagating visibility ofassociated information, as will be described below in greater detail. Incertain embodiments, data lineage propagation module 200 can include aseparate data lineage module that provides the functionality for tracinga data lineage, and a separate associated information propagation modulethat provides the functionality for propagating visibility of associatedinformation.

According to the embodiment, data lineage propagation module 200 canproduce record mapping data 205, column mapping data 210, and associatedobject mapping data 215. As previously described, record mapping data205 includes a source surrogate key (i.e., an identity of a source datarecord) that is stored in a data record in a target table of atransformation. As also previously described, column mapping data 210includes a source table and column of a transformation, a target tableand column of the transformation, a transformation type, and anyadditional information required for the transformation. Further, columnmapping data 210 can be derived from a transformation definition.Finally, as also previously described, associated object mapping data215 includes links between associated objects and the data elements ordata records associated with the associated object (identified asprimary links). Associated object mapping data 215 also includes linksgenerated by data lineage propagation module 200 to provide visibilityof the associated object in upstream and downstream data models(identified as secondary links). Such visibility can include efficientaccess of the associated object, especially for visually identifyingdata elements or data records that are associated with the associatedobject in data displays. Data lineage propagation module 200 can furtherinclude public application programming interface (“API”) 220. Public API220 is an API that can be provided so that a user of the system canenter column mapping data into data lineage propagation module 200. Thiscan allow a user to store mappings for the data using a custom computerprogram, such as a custom procedural language/structured query language(“PL/SQL”) program or a custom statistical analysis system (“SAS”)program.

According to the embodiment, the logical data model can further includetransformation module 225, validation module 230, and query builder 235.Transformation module 225 can identify unique sources of mapped data andadd source surrogate keys to a definition of one or more target datatables. Further, based on one or more transformation definitions,transformation module 225 can store column mapping data 210 for one ormore transformations. Transformation module 225 can further allow a userto provide custom column mapping data for a custom transformation thatis identified to transformation module 225. Transformation module 225can implement validation module 230 and query builder 235, wherevalidation module 230 can read one or more data records, test the datavalues of one or more data records, and create one or more discrepanciesfor the data values, and where query builder 235 can build a query ordatabase view of data coming from one or more data tables whilemaintaining the same metadata source column to target column mapping asa transformation. In certain embodiments, transformation mapping datacan also include a “preferred source path.” When a target column of atransformation has multiple immediate source columns, one column can beidentified as a preferred source column. This information can be trackedas part of column mapping data 210. Thus, a “preferred source path” is apath through transformations of preferred source columns. In otherwords, a preferred source path is a single source path that isidentified from multiple possible source paths as being preferred overthe other possible source paths. This can be done to provide a uniquepath to a single source data element for attaching queries or otherassociated objects that may be sent to a source system that provided thesource data.

During execution of a transformation (illustrated in FIG. 2 astransformation execution processing 240), record mapping data 205 can bestored in one or more source surrogate keys, where the one or moresurrogate keys can be stored in one or more auxiliary columns of one ormore target tables of the transformation (illustrated in FIG. 2 as datatable 245). According to the embodiment, a combination of record mappingdata 205 and column mapping data 215, as well as other data lineagetracing information, can be used to display a trace of a data lineage ofsource or target data elements (illustrated in FIG. 2 as lineage trace250), as is described below in greater detail.

According to the embodiment, the logical data model can further includeassociated object module 255 and adaptor 260. Associated object module255 can enter data within associated object mapping data 215 for eachassociated object. Data from associated object mapping data 215 can beused to visually highlight a display of one or more data elements thathave associated objects associated with them (illustrated in FIG. 2 ashighlight associated objects 250). According to certain embodiments,associated object module 255 can request a preferred source path foreach data element associated with an associated object. Further, one ormore associated objects can be created within the system using adaptor260. Adaptor 260 can use associated object module 255 to create the oneor more associated objects within the system, and then associated objectmodule 255 can use data lineage propagation module 200 to propagate thevisibility of the associated objects within the trace of the datalineage of the source or target data elements. In certain embodiments,the logical data module can further include an additional module (notillustrated in FIG. 2) that displays one or more data elements from oneor more data tables, and that highlights the existence of one or moreassociated objects that are associated with the one or more dataelements.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example data lineage, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. According to an embodiment, a systemcan generate a trace of a data lineage of data stored within a datawarehouse. Within this data lineage trace, a user of the system canselect a data element in a target table and request a trace upstreamthrough one or more transformation steps to one or more source dataelements that the selected data element is derived from. Further, theuser can select a data element in source table and request a tracedownstream through one or more transformation steps to one or moretarget data elements that are derived from the selected data element.With respect to the transformation, according to the embodiment, therecan be different types of transformations. Such transformation types caninclude: (a) a direct mapping transformation (possibly including filtersand/or derivations); (b) a union transformation; (c) a jointransformation (possibly including single and/or repeating data); (d) ahorizontal to vertical unpivot transformation; and (e) a vertical tohorizontal pivot transformation. The different transformation types aredescribed below in greater detail. In certain embodiments, the datalineage trace can be generated to include the data lineage through oneor more staging tables that are created to store data for multi-steptransformations. According to the embodiment, staging tables are tablesof a data warehouse that can be utilized as needed for one or moretransformations, and can serve a purpose of acting as an intermediatestorage structure for multi-step transformation scenarios.

A direct mapping transformation is a transformation where one or morecolumns of a source data record in a source table are renamed and/orreordered in a target data record of a target table. In certainembodiments, one or more columns of a source data record in a sourcetable can be propagated unchanged within a direct mappingtransformation. A union transformation is a transformation where one ormore source data records from two or more source tables are combinedinto two or more target data records of a single target table, so thatthe target table includes some or all of the one or more source datarecords from the two or more source tables. A join transformation is atransformation where one or more source data records from two or moresource tables are combined into a single target data record of a singletarget table, so that the target data record of the target table includeall the columns of the one or more source data records from the two ormore source tables.

Further, a horizontal to vertical unpivot transformation is atransformation where one or more source data records from a source tableare converted into one or more target data records of a target table,where each set of one or more columns of each source data record istransformed into a separate target data record of the target table. Forexample, if a source table has a single source data record that includescolumns A, B, C, then an unpivot transformation transforms the sourcedata record into three target data records: a first target data recordthat includes column A; a second target data record that includes columnB; and a third target data record that includes column C. A vertical tohorizontal pivot transformation is a transformation where one or moresource data records from a source table are converted into a target datarecord of a target table, where the one or more source data records arecombined into a single target data record. For example, if a sourcetable includes three source data records, data record 1, data record 2,and data record 3, then a pivot transformation transforms the threesource data records into a single target data record that includes oneor more of the columns of data records 1, 2, and 3. A casetransformation is a transformation where data values for a target datarecord are populated from one or more source columns, which may be fromdifferent source tables, based on a condition.

According to an embodiment, data lineage trace information can be madeavailable for display within a user interface of the system. Theinformation that can be provided to the user interface is now describedin greater detail according to an example embodiment. For a sourcelineage of a selected data element, a hierarchy of data elements thatproduced the selected data element can be provided. This is a path ofdata elements that traverses through all associated transformations backto the raw source data in the data warehouse. The path can includeseveral path branches through the data. Similarly, for a target lineageof the selected data element, a hierarchy of data elements that arederived from the selected data element can be provided.

According to the embodiment, one or more of the following attributes canbe provided for each data element in the path: (a) placement of the dataelement within the hierarchy (e.g., identity of data element andidentity of its parent data element within the hierarchy); (b) datamodel name; (c) table name; (d) column name; (e) data type of the dataelement; (f) data element value; (g) preferred source route (yes or no);(h) primary key; (i) indicator whether the data is (or might be) maskeddata; (j) indicator whether the data is from an internal staging table;(k) indicator that one or more associated objects (such asdiscrepancies) are primarily linked to the data element; or (l)underlying data (e.g., table object identity, column object identity,surrogate key value, and any other relevant data). A “data model” is adata schema associated with one or more data tables of a data warehouse.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data lineage of patient data related to a series ofmedical studies, according to an embodiment of the invention. However,in other embodiments, the data can be any type of life sciences ormedical data. Further, in other embodiments, the data can be any type ofdata. According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, a datawarehouse can include four data models: source data model 310, all sitesdata model 320, review data model 330, and analysis data model 340.Source data model 310 includes three tables: demography table 311, siteA visits table 312, and site B visits table 313. Demography table 311includes demographic data for all subjects in a study, where thedemographic data includes each subject's height and height unit. Site Avisits table 312 includes one data record per visit (i.e., visit data)for each subject at study site A, where the visit data includes thesubject's weight and weight unit. Site B visits table 313 includes onedata record per visit (i.e., visit data) for each subject at study siteB, where the visit data includes the subject's weight and weight unit.All sites data model 320 includes one table: visits table 321. Visitstable 321 is a union of site A visits table 312 and site B visits table313 that is created by a union transformation of the visit data includedwithin site A visits table 312 and the visit data included within site Bvisits table 313. Review data model 330 includes one table: milestonevisits table 331. Milestone visits table 331 is a subset of importantvisits for each patient that is derived from the visit data includingwithin visits table 321 using a source filter transformation (e.g.,visits 1, 4, 7, and 10 for each subject). Analysis data model 340includes one table: BMI table 341. BMI table 341 is a join of demographytable 311 and milestone visits table 331 that is created by a jointransformation of the demographic data included within demography table311 and the visit data included within milestone visits table 331, wherea body mass index (“BMI”) value is a derivation using the subject'sweight, weight unit, height, and height unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example user interface that displays a datalineage 400, according to an embodiment of the invention. According tothe example embodiment, BMI table 341 of FIG. 3 can include thefollowing data:

Study Subject Visit Site Gender Age AgeU BMI BMIU BMI 1001 4 MGH FEMALE34 YEARS 22.7 KG/M**2 BMI 1002 4 MGH FEMALE 24 YEARS 24.5 KG/M**2 BMI1003 4 MGH MALE 42 YEARS 21.9 KG/M**2 BMI 1004 4 MGH MALE 28 YEARS 26.3KG/M**2 BMI 1005 4 MGH FEMALE 34 YEARS 24.6 KG/M**2 BMI 1006 4 MGHFEMALE 29 YEARS 28.8 KG/M**2 BMI 1007 4 McLean FEMALE 42 YEARS 33.3KG/M**2 BMI 1008 4 McLean FEMALE 35 YEARS 22.5 KG/M**2 BMI 1009 4 McLeanMALE 34 YEARS 33.6 KG/M**2 BMI 1010 4 McLean FEMALE 54 YEARS 30.6KG/M**2

According to the embodiment, a system can display the above data withina user interface of the system. A user of a system may want toinvestigate the source data for Subject 1007, a female, age 42, with aBMI value of 33.3. The user can select the data value 33.3 for Subject1007 within the user interface and indicate that the user wishes toreview the source data lineage of the data value. In response, thesystem can display data lineage 400 of FIG. 4 within the user interface,which is further described in greater detail.

According to the illustrated embodiment, data lineage 400 includes aplurality of rows (i.e., rows 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408,and 409), where each row includes information about one of the sourcedata elements. The rows traverse the paths through the set oftransformations shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the immediate ancestor dataelements are at a hierarchy level below the selected data element withindata lineage 400, and their ancestors follow in a similar fashion. Thus,the hierarchy path is traversed from the data elements closest to theselected data element upstream to raw source data elements. Therefore,in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, row 401 represents the selecteddata element (i.e., the data value 33.3 for Subject 1007). Rows 402,403, 404, and 407 represent immediate ancestor data elements for thedata element represented by row 401. Thus, the immediate ancestor tablesof the selected data element represented by row 401 are demography table311 and milestone visits table 331 of FIG. 3. Row 405 represents animmediate ancestor data element for the data element represented by row404. Row 406 represents an immediate ancestor data element for the dataelement represented by row 405. Row 408 represents an immediate ancestordata element for the data element represented by row 407. Row 409represents an immediate ancestor data element for the data elementrepresented by row 408. Thus, the immediate ancestor table of the dataelement represented by row 404, and the data element represented by row407, is visits table 321. Further, the immediate ancestor table of thedata element represented by 405, and the data element represented by row408, is site B visits table 313. While data lineage 400 is an example ofa source data lineage, a target data lineage can be displayed within theuser interface in an alternate embodiment, where one or more descendantdata elements for a selected data element can be displayed, where thetarget data lineage includes a plurality of rows, and where each rowincludes information about one of the target data elements.

Data lineage 400 further includes a plurality of columns (i.e., columns410, 420, 430, 440, and 450). Column 410 represents a data model name,table name, and column name of the data element. Column 420 represents adata value of the data element. Column 430 represents a data type andsize of the data element. Column 440 represents an indication of whetherthe data element is part of a preferred source path (i.e., “Yes” or“No”). Column 450 represents a primary key value for the data element.

Thus, data lineage 400 can be a tree table that displays a hierarchy ofdata elements, where the column headings are static, and a user can openor close portions of the hierarchy using tree table components. Further,in one embodiment, a data element that is linked to an associated object(illustrated in FIG. 4 as data element 460) can be highlighted with abackground color. The highlighted background color can represent aprimary link between a data element and an associated object. In theinstance of a primary link, the user can select a highlighted dataelement and request to display the details of the associated objectlinked to the data element.

In one embodiment, if data lineage 400 includes a path through aninternal staging table, a corresponding data value can be marked with asymbol, such as an asterisk (not illustrated in FIG. 4). Further, afootnote can be displayed below data lineage 400 explaining the meaningof the symbol. Additionally, in one embodiment, if a data element isfrom a table or column where security has been applied to the table orcolumn, and masked data is displayed in place of actual data, then thedata element can be marked with a symbol, such as the symbol “§”(illustrated in FIG. 4 as symbol 470). Further, a footnote can bedisplayed below data lineage 400 explaining the meaning of the symbol.In addition, in one embodiment, a full data lineage trace may not beable to be completed, either because the user does not have access tosome of the data in the path of the trace (either upstream ordownstream), due to security applied to the data, or because a datarecord has been deleted from a table and the deletion has not yet beenpropagated to downstream tables. In either case, according to theembodiment, the user interface can display a message that indicates thatthe data trace has been terminated (not illustrated in FIG. 4).

Thus, in one embodiment, a user of a system can navigate through a databrowser to a data listing page and select a data element on a data gridthat is displayed within a user interface. A “data grid” is a displaythat presents rows and columns of a data table, or a view of data. Inselecting the data element, the user can indicate that the user desiresto see the source data that the selected data element is derived from.In response, the system can obtain a collection of source data elements,and display a collection of source data element values along withcorresponding information about a data model, table, and column for eachsource data element. The collection can be organized and includeinformation so that the collection can be displayed in a user interfaceas a tree of paths that make up the source data for the selected dataelement. Information can also be included so that a preferred sourcepath can be displayed.

In another embodiment, a user can navigate through a data browser to adata listing page and select a data element on a data grid that isdisplayed within a user interface. In selecting the data element, theuser can indicate that the user desires to see the target data that isderived from the selected data element. In response, the system canobtain a collection of target data elements, and display a collection oftarget data element values along with corresponding information about adata model, table, and column for each target data element. Thecollection can be organized and include information so that thecollection can be displayed in a user interface as a tree of paths thatmake up the target data for the selected data element.

Further, with respect to associated objects, in one embodiment, anassociated object that is created within a data warehouse, or otherwiseassociated with a data element of the data warehouse, can be viewed inupstream or downstream data models as though these objects have beenpropagated to the different associated models. The system canautomatically associate an associated object created in one data modelwith its corresponding source and target data elements in other datamodels. The associations between the associated objects and the dataelements in the source and target data models can be displayed within auser interface of the system, where the existence of associated objectscan be displayed along with associated data elements as well asassociated object categories. Further, when multiple source dataelements are used to derive a target data element, then one of thesource data elements can be selected, during transformation definition,as a preferred source data element. The preferred source data elementscan form a data lineage path upstream through source data. The mostupstream source data element can be used to export an associated objectto an external system. Further, when data associated with an associatedobject is updated, one or more flags of the associated object can be setto indicate that the data has been updated.

As previously described, links between data elements and associatedobjects can be made available for display within a user interface thatdisplays data lineage 400. Information that is provided to the userinterface by the system for identifying data elements or data recordsthat have associated objects that are associated with the data elementsor data records is now further described in greater detail. The systemcan provide information to the user interface so that each data elementthat has an associated object associated with the data element ishighlighted in the display. This can include the data elements in atable where an associated object is originally created, or otherwiseassociated, (i.e., a primary link).

In one embodiment, the system can provide: (a) an associated objectidentity (which can be used to access the associated object and itsproperties); (b) a data element reference (such as a table objectidentity, a column object identity, and a surrogate key); (c) anindication whether the associated object that is associated with thedata element is a primary link or a secondary link; (d) an indicationwhether the link is in the source path or target path of the primarydata element (for a secondary link); and (e) a state of the associatedobject. According to the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 by dataelement 460, the system can highlight a data element with a backgroundcolor to indicate that the data element is linked to an associatedobject. The system can highlight the data element using a firstbackground color to indicate a primary link. Alternatively, the systemcan highlight the data element using a second background color toindicate a secondary link. As previously described, a user is able torequest a source or target lineage of a data element where an associatedobject is linked. When a user reaches a data element that includes aprimary link to the associated object, the user can view the associatedobject, including one or more characteristics of the associated objects.The user can also export the associated object to an external source. Inalternate embodiments, rather than highlighting a data element with acolor to indicate that the data element is associated with an associatedobject, the system can use an alternate indication. Some examples ofalternate indications include, but are not limited to, an icon, acolored border, or an audio indication.

Thus, in one embodiment, a user of a system can navigate to a datalisting, select a data element on a data grid that is displayed within auser interface, create an associated object, and associate theassociated object with the selected data element. The system can thenassociate the associated object with data elements that are related toselected data element. The system can link the newly created associatedobject to the selected data element, and designate the link as a primarylink. The system can further recursively find all source and target dataelements for the selected data element by using column mapping data andrecord mapping data associated with the existing transformations withinthe data warehouse. The system can subsequently link the same associatedobject to the related source and target data elements, and designatethese links as secondary links. Thus, in each related source or targetdata model, a data element with a secondary link to the associatedobject can be highlighted within the user interface of the system.

In another embodiment, a user of the system can navigate to a datalisting, where the system can provide primary links and secondary linksbetween associated objects and primary source data. The system canfurther obtain properties from the associated objects, such as a stateof each associated object, to filter the display. In yet anotherembodiment, a user can delete a data element that includes links to oneor more associated objects. The system can remove the primary and/orsecondary links to associated objects associated with the deleted data.When the data for a primary link is deleted, the system can remove theprimary and secondary links to an associated object that is associatedwith a data element, and the system can delete the associated object.When the data for a secondary link is deleted, the system can remove thesecondary link and determine if further links should be removed (andremove any further links as necessary). In a further embodiment, thesystem can allow a user to create a query that can access the columnmapping data as well as the linked associated objects to supportvisibility of the associated objects.

In a flow of control for a data lineage propagation module (such as datalineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2), according to one embodiment,one or more data models can be defined within a data warehouse. Metadatafor each data model is created or loaded. One or more transformationsare defined for one or more target tables using a transformation module(such as transformation module 225 of FIG. 2). One or more auxiliarycolumns are added to each target table as required for the particulartransformation. These auxiliary columns are further described below ingreater detail. Subsequently, a data lineage mapping table is populatedwith data lineage tracing information (i.e., metadata information)regarding column mapping, which is distinct from the data stored withinthe one or more data tables of the data warehouse, and where the datalineage mapping table is further described below in greater detail. Theauxiliary column identity is part of the column mapping metadata so thatmapped target columns can be linked with the auxiliary column that holdsthe identity of the source table record for the mapped source column.The one or more data models are installed with one or more tables. Oneor more source tables are loaded with data. The transformations areexecuted and populate one or more target tables. Subsequent to the oneor more target tables being loaded with data, a shadow table ispopulated or updated with data lineage tracing information (i.e., recordmapping information), which is also distinct from the data stored withinthe one or more data tables of the data warehouse, where the shadowtable is further described below in greater detail. Finally, one or moresecondary links for associated objects are propagated within the data.The secondary links can be used to obtain an association of an upstreamor downstream data element with an associated object without traversingthe data lineage tracing information of the data lineage mapping tableand the shadow table in order to detect an existence of the associatedobject.

Thus, according to an embodiment, a data lineage propagation module(such as data lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can maintain oneor more associations, and can trace between, two types of objects: (a) adata element of a data record in a table; and (b) a complete data recordin a table. Regarding (a), the following can be used to uniquelyidentify a data element, and also to trace the names of installedobjects when needed for obtaining data elements: (1) a model objectidentity that identifies a data model of the data warehouse; (2) a tableinstance object identity that identifies a table of the data warehouse;(3) a surrogate key value that identified a surrogate key; and (4) acolumn object identity that identifies a column of the table. Regarding(b), some associated objects can be linked to a data record rather thana specific data element within the data record. In this scenario, sincethere is no specific column within the data record, a column objectidentity for a surrogate key is used, rather than a column objectidentity that identifies a column of the table. Thus, the following canbe used to uniquely identify a data record: (1) a model object identitythat identifies a data model of the data warehouse; (2) a table instanceobject identity that identifies a table of the data warehouse; (3) asurrogate key value that identified a surrogate key; and (4) a columnobject identity for the surrogate key. In an alternate embodiments, aunique table identifier that uniquely identifies a table of the datawarehouse (across all data models of a data warehouse) can be used touniquely identify a data record.

Further, according to the embodiment, the data lineage propagationmodule maintains and propagates associations with associated objects.The data lineage propagation module further provides two types ofrelationship mappings: (a) a mapping of a specific data element to oneor more source or target data elements (i.e., data lineagetraceability); and (b) a mapping between associated objects and dataelements or data records (i.e., associated objects visibility).

According to the embodiment, in order to provide data lineagetraceability, the data lineage propagation module populates a datalineage mapping table with data lineage tracing information, after oneor more tables are defined with a data warehouse. A data lineage mappingtable is further described below in greater detail. As one or moretransformations are executed within the data warehouse, one or moreauxiliary columns are populated, and a shadow table is loaded with datalineage tracing information for tracing the data lineage of one or moredata elements. The auxiliary columns and the shadow table are furtherdescribed below in greater detail. As associated objects are createdand/or associated with a data element, the data lineage propagationmodule can index associated objects that are associated with source andtarget data elements for efficient visualization by other processes.Thus, an association of an upstream or downstream data element with theassociated object can be directly obtained without traversing the datalineage tracing information of the data lineage mapping table and theshadow table.

During data model and transformation definition phases, a target tableof a transformation can be identified, and one or more auxiliary columnscan be added to the identified table as one or more metadatadefinitions. The number of auxiliary columns can depend on the type oftransformation. The main use of the one or more auxiliary columns is tostore source surrogate key values from the source table of thetransformation. A surrogate key, as previously described, is an identityof a data record, where a source surrogate key is an identity of asource data record. The one or more auxiliary columns can be populatedwith one or more source surrogate key values, or other data valuesappropriate for the transformation. The data lineage propagation modulecan use the surrogate key values (or other appropriate data values)stored within the auxiliary columns to trace back through a path ofsource data elements that contribute to the target data.

As previously described, one or more auxiliary columns can be added toone or more target tables as required for a specific transformation.Examples of auxiliary columns that can be added for different types oftransformations are as follows:

Transformation Auxiliary Columns Union 1 Source Surrogate Key column(Source Surrogate Key can contain a source table identity as its firstcomponent) Join Source Surrogate Key columns: one for each table thatcontributes to the join Horizontal to 1 Source Surrogate Key columnVertical Unpivot Vertical to 1 Source Surrogate Key column (values canbe Horizontal Pivot modified to hold Surrogate Key root, i.e., with aplaceholder for the position that holds pivot column values) Direct Map1 Source Surrogate Key column (this can include direct-map typederivations) Case Selection Source Surrogate Key columns: one column forthe filter value (case identifier) that links to the source table andcolumn, and one column for the Source Surrogate Key

According to the embodiment, tracing the data lineage of a data elementis dependent on one or more surrogate keys. Each table can include asurrogate key column, which can serve as an indexed unique key for thetable. In order to trace from a target table of a transformation back toa source table, the surrogate keys from the source table are stored inthe target table. In an example of a simple transformation, in order totrace a source data element for a selected data element in a targettable, the target table is looked up in a data lineage mapping table(described below in greater detail) in order to obtain a source table,source column, and auxiliary column where a source surrogate key isstored. Using the auxiliary column, a value of the source surrogate keyis obtained and stored in the target table record that contains theselected data element. The source table, source column, and sourcesurrogate key value is used to find the source data value for theselected target data element. Data lineage tracing for more complextransformations are described below in greater detail.

In order to trace a target data element for a selected source dataelement, a separate table of data lineage tracing information,identified as a shadow table (described below in greater detail) ismaintained. The shadow table includes one or more mappings of a sourcedata record to a target data record. More specifically, the shadow tablecan include de-normalized source record—target record mapping using aparticular source key together with a context map identifying metadatarelationship between columns and source keys. Thus, according to theembodiment, at the end of an execution of a transformation, the shadowtable can include one or more system records that provide an indexedversion of mapping data that allow a target data element to be tracedfrom a source data element using the data lineage mapping table.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model for a system,according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates arepresentative physical model for a system. In certain embodiments, asystem may not include all the components of the physical modelillustrated in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, a system may includeadditional components that are not illustrated in FIG. 5. A data lineagepropagation module (such as data lineage propagation module of FIG. 2)can include a physical model that includes one or more components, whereeach component includes one or more tables. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 5, the physical model includes data lineage mappingcomponent 510, which includes data lineage tracing information (i.e.,metadata information) for tracing source data elements from target dataelements. Data lineage mapping component 510 includes a data lineagemapping table, which is further described below in greater detail inrelation to FIG. 6. Further, the physical model includes shadow tablecomponent 520, which includes indexed data lineage tracing informationfor tracing target data elements from source data elements. Shadow tablecomponent 520 includes a shadow table, which is further described belowin greater detail in relation to FIG. 7. Additionally, the physicalmodel includes transformations component 530, which includes data forone or more transformations. Further, the physical model includesassociated object mapping component 540, which includes data regardinglinks between associated objects and data elements or data records.Associated object mapping component 540 includes an associated objectmapping table, which is further described below in greater detail inrelation to FIG. 9. Additionally, the physical model includes tabledefinition component 550, which includes application table definitionsfor one or more source tables and one or more target tables. In oneembodiment, table definition component 550 can include one or moreapplication table definitions at the data model level (e.g., table“CDR_MODEL” in FIG. 5), one or more application table definitions at thetable level (e.g., tables “CDR_TABLE,” “CDR_TABLE_CONS” and“CDR_TABLES_CONS_COLS” in FIG. 5), and one or more application tabledefinitions at the column level (e.g., tables “CDR_COLUMN” and“CDR_TABLES_CONS_COLS” in FIG. 5). Further, the physical model includesassociated object component 560, which includes table definitions forone or more associated objects. In one embodiment, associated objectcomponent 560 can include one or more table definitions for one or morediscrepancies (e.g., table “DME_DISCREPANCY” in FIG. 5), and one or moretable definitions for one or more flags (e.g., table “DME_FLAG” in FIG.5). Additionally, the physical model includes study component 570, whichinclude is a parent object that groups all of the other objects in thephysical model.

Together, data lineage mapping component 510, shadow table component520, and transformations component 530, along with table definitioncomponent 550, provide a data lineage subsystem, which is furtherdescribed below in greater detail in relation to FIG. 8. Further,associated object mapping component 540, along with table definitioncomponent 550 and associated object component 560, provide an associatedinformation subsystem, which is further described below in greaterdetail in relation to FIG. 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a data lineage mapping table 600,according to an embodiment of the invention. Data lineage mapping table600 includes information for tracing a source data element from a targetdata element. The information for tracing a source data element from atarget data element is data lineage tracing information (i.e., metadatainformation), which is distinct from the data stored within the one ormore data tables of the data warehouse. Data lineage mapping table 600can be populated during a data model publishing phase, and data lineagemapping table 600 includes information for tracing between a source dataelement and a target data element for each data transformation. Datalineage mapping table 600 stores references, by object identity, to atransform column level map object, a target table and column, a sourcetable and column, an auxiliary column that holds a source surrogate key,and any additional information required for a specific transformation.

According to an embodiment, the information stored within data lineagemapping table 600 makes up a first major portion of data lineage tracinginformation used to trace a data lineage. A second major portion of datalineage tracing information used to trace a data lineage is one or moreauxiliary columns that are added to table definitions of target tablesof transformations to trace back to source data records. The auxiliarycolumns can contain surrogate keys from each source table thatcontribute to the data record in the target table. When necessary, theauxiliary columns can hold a table identity of the source table and/oridentifying “filter” values for a specific transformation. Data lineagemapping table 600 and the one or more auxiliary columns include the dataused by a data lineage propagation module (such as data lineagepropagation module 200 of FIG. 2) to trace back from a target dataelement to a source data element. A third major portion of data lineagetracing information used to trace a data lineage is a shadow table,which is further described in greater detail in relation to FIG. 7.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, data lineage mapping table 600(which includes column mapping data) includes a “TMAP_ID” column whichcorresponds to a transform table level map identity (i.e., identifies atransformation). Data lineage mapping table 600 further includes a“TMAP_TYPE_RC” column which defines how source columns are related totarget columns (i.e., identifies a transformation type). Data lineagemapping table 600 further includes a “SRC_DM_OBJ_ID” column whichcorresponds to a source data model identity, a “SRC_TAB_OBJ_ID” columnwhich corresponds to a source table identity, and a “SRC_COL_OBJ_ID”column which corresponds to a source column identity. Data lineagemapping table 600 further includes a “TRG_DM_OBJ_ID” column whichcorresponds to a target data model identity, a “TRG_TAB_OBJ_ID” columnwhich corresponds to a target table identity, and a “TRG_COL_OBJ_ID”column which corresponds to a target column identity. Data lineagemapping table 600 further includes a “SRC_SKEY_COL_OBJ_ID” column whichcorresponds to an object identity for an auxiliary column in a targettable, which stores a source table data record surrogate key for thesource table identified by the source table identity stored within the“SRC_TAB_OBJ_ID” column for the data record. According to theillustrated embodiment, data lineage mapping table 600 further includesa “FILTER_COL_OBJ_ID” column which optionally provides information abouta filter column identity in either a source table or a target table forcertain transformation types, and a “FILTER_VALUE” column whichoptionally provides information about a filter value in a table filtercolumn for certain transformation types.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a shadow table 700, according toan embodiment of the invention. Shadow table 700 is an optimized centralindex that can provide efficient lookup of data lineage tracinginformation when tracing from a source data element to a target dataelement. Shadow table 700 can allow data lineage processing to resolvesource record-target record relationships directly in a single tablewithout having to create separate queries for each data table within adata warehouse. Such data lineage processing can be more efficient byseveral orders of magnitude. Further, shadow table 700 can extractsource record-target record relationships from the one or more datatables of the data warehouse, and can act as an index for traversing alineage of the one or more data tables without querying the data tablesthemselves.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, shadow table 700 includes a“TRG_TAB_OBJ_ID” column which corresponds to a target table instanceidentity. Shadow table 700 further includes a “SRC_TAB_OBJ_ID” columnwhich corresponds to a source table instance identity. Shadow table 700further includes a “SRC_SKEY_COL_OBJ_ID” column which corresponds to anobject identity for an auxiliary column in a target table, which storesa source table data record surrogate key. Shadow table further includesa “TRG_SKEY_VALUE” which corresponds to a surrogate key value of atarget table data record, and a “SRC_SKEY_VALUE” which corresponds to asurrogate key value of a source table data record that is also a valuefor an auxiliary column of the aforementioned target table data record.According to the illustrated embodiment, shadow table 700 furtherincludes a “FILTER_VALUE” column which optionally provides informationabout a filter value in a table filter column for certain transformationtypes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model of a data lineagesubsystem, according to an embodiment of the invention. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the physical model includes datalineage mapping table 600 of FIG. 6 and shadow table 700 of FIG. 7. Thephysical model further includes transformation type table 800 whichincludes data representing one or more transformation types.Additionally, the physical model includes table definition component810, which includes table definitions for one or more source tables andone or more target tables, where source tables and target tables areexamples of data tables. In the illustrated embodiment, table definitioncomponent 810 can include one or more table definitions at the datamodel level (e.g., a “CDR_MODEL” table in FIG. 8), one or more tabledefinitions at the table level (e.g., “CDR_TABLE,” “CDR_TABLE_CONS” and“CDR_TABLES_CONS_COLS” tables in FIG. 8), and one or more tabledefinitions at the column level (e.g., “CDR_COLUMN” and“CDR_TABLES_CONS_COLS” tables in FIG. 8).

According to the embodiment, when data is generated within, or loadedinto, a data warehouse, and when one or more transformations have beendefined for the data warehouse, a data lineage propagation module (suchas data lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can generate datalineage tracing information within the physical model of the datalineage subsystem. More specifically, for each transformation of the oneor more transformations, the data lineage propagation module can storeeach target-to-source mapping within data lineage mapping table 600. Thedata lineage propagation module can further map one or more target datavalues of one or more target tables to one or more source data values ofone or more source tables. The data lineage propagation module canfurther add one or more auxiliary columns to the one or more targettables by modifying one or more table definitions of table definitioncomponent 810, where each auxiliary column can store a source surrogatekey that identifies a source table. Further, for each transformation ofthe one or more transformations, the data lineage propagation module canstore each source-to-target mapping within shadow table 700. The datalineage propagation module can further map one or more source datavalues of one or more source tables to one or more target data values ofone or more target tables.

With respect to the one or more target-to-source mappings stored withindata lineage mapping table 600, the data lineage propagation module canstore the following information for each target column data value indata lineage mapping table 600: (a) a source table instance objectidentity and a source column object identity; (b) a target tableinstance object identity and a target column object identity; (c) anobject identity of each auxiliary column that has been added to thetarget table, where each auxiliary column stores a source surrogate keyvalue for a source data record used to produce the target data value;and (d) any additional data required for the mapping, such as anindicator (e.g., flag) that the mapping is a preferred source route. Ifa same source data record is used to populate values in more than onetarget column, then the same auxiliary column that stores the sourcesurrogate key column identity can be repeated in multiple mapping systemrecords within data lineage mapping table 600.

Data lineage tracing information can provide support for transformationsof a data warehouse, where example transformation types include directmap transformations, conversion transformations, derivationtransformations, union transformations, vertical-to-horizontal pivottransformations, horizontal-to-vertical pivot transformations, casetransformations, and custom types of transformations. In certainembodiments, data lineage tracing information can be produced using adata lineage mapping technique. The data lineage mapping techniqueinvolves mapping one or more source columns to a target column, andadding one or more auxiliary columns to hold one or more sourcesurrogate keys, where each source surrogate key corresponds to a sourcetable that contributes to the values of the target column.

Direct map transformations, conversion transformations, and derivationtransformations can produce straightforward entries in data lineagemapping table 600 using the data lineage mapping technique: one or moresource columns map to each target column. These transformations oftenmap from a single source table to a single target table, so there isoften just a single auxiliary column that stores source surrogate keyvalues.

Data lineage tracing information can also be used to support uniontransformations and case transformations using the data lineage mappingtechnique. However, the data lineage mapping technique can require morethan one auxiliary column per transformation to ensure correctingtracing to the source data elements. For example, in a union of fivesource tables into one target table, any data record in the target tablecould be from any of the five source tables. To avoid ambiguity inidentifying an origin of a particular data record, the target table canbe extended to include five auxiliary columns (one per source table).When a union transformation is executed, a source data record surrogatekey is inserted into an auxiliary column which mapped to the correctsource table. Thus, for each data record in the target table, only oneof the five auxiliary columns would contain a source surrogate keyvalue, and the other four auxiliary columns would remain empty.

The same scenario can apply for a case transformation. In a casetransformation, the values from different data records in one column ofthe target tables may be populated from different source columns, whichmay be from different source tables. For example, in the first datarecord, the target case column might be populated from source Tab1.ColX.In the second data record, the target case column might be populatedfrom source Tab1.ColY. In the third data record, the target case columnmay be populated from source Tab2.ColX. Each assignment is controlled bythe condition of the case transformation. Thus, each source table andcolumn combination that might be used to populate a target column mustbe identified in order to trace between source and target data elements.One auxiliary column would be added for each possible source table andcolumn combination. As with the union transformation, only one of theauxiliary columns will be populated with a value in each data recorddepending on which case condition is true for that data record. Further,there will be column data mappings to the target column, where eachmapping source record includes a different source key column identity.

The data lineage mapping technique can be modified to supportvertical-to-horizontal pivot transformations and horizontal-to-verticalpivot transformations. The modification can involve storing additionalinformation within data lineage map table 600, e.g., information about apivot column and a list of filter values used for the transformation.For example, the vertical-to-horizontal pivot transformation can takemultiple data records as input, each with a different “filter” value inthe “pivot” column, and can create multiple columns in the target table,one or more columns for each of the “filter” values. The result can be atarget table where multiple source data records contributed to a singledata record. Therefore, multiple auxiliary columns can be added to thetarget table, one or more columns for each of the source data recordsthat contribute to the target data record.

In certain embodiments, advanced techniques can be used to store datalineage mapping data. In one advanced technique, for a uniontransformation, an advanced technique for storing data lineage mappingdata can involve including a source table instance object identitywithin a source surrogate key stored within an auxiliary column. Analgorithm to trace back to a source data record from a target datarecord can use the source surrogate key value stored within theauxiliary column of the target data record to look up the source datarecord in the specified source table, where the source table can beextracted from the source surrogate key value. For both uniontransformations and case transformations, another advanced technique forstoring data lineage tracing information can involve including a“filter” auxiliary column that stores a “filter value” and anotherauxiliary column that stores a source surrogate key. For uniontransformations, the “filter” auxiliary column that stores the “filtervalue” stores a source table instance object identity. Thus, analgorithm to trace back to a source data record from a target datarecord can use the source surrogate key value stored within theauxiliary column of the target data record to look up the source datarecord in the source table, where the source table is identified in the“filter” auxiliary column. For case transformations, a user can provide“filter” values, which are text strings, to identify every source tableand column combination that might populate a case target column. These“filter” values are stored in data lineage mapping table 600 along withthe appropriate source table/column combination and the casetransformation target table/column combination. In each data record ofthe target table, the corresponding “filter value” can be entered intothe “filter” auxiliary column. Thus, an algorithm to trace back to asource data record from a target data record can use a source surrogatekey value from the target data record, along with the “filter value” andthe information stored within data lineage mapping table 600.

To avoid a requirement of multiple auxiliary columns, other advancedtechniques can be used to store data lineage tracing information. Oneadvanced technique involves a “smart surrogate key,” where a “smartsurrogate key” is a concatenation of one or more source surrogate keyvalues, prefixed with a source table identity. As a result, the smartsurrogate key can be used to obtain the source table identity, andtherefore, a separate auxiliary column to store the source tableidentity is not required. Further, only a single auxiliary column wouldbe required to store the smart surrogate key, thereby removing therequirement for multiple auxiliary columns in the case of uniontransformations, vertical-to-horizontal pivot transformations andhorizontal-to-vertical pivot transformations. Another advanced techniqueinvolves including a pivot column value as a “filter value” within thesmart surrogate key for the vertical-to-horizontal pivot transformationsand horizontal-to-vertical pivot transformations.

According to an embodiment, the aforementioned data lineage tracinginformation, or other data lineage tracing information, can be leveragedto support the visibility of associated objects that are linked toeither data elements or data records, and to propagate the associatedobjects to related source data elements and target data elements.Further, the aforementioned data lineage tracing information, or otherdata lineage tracing information, can also be leveraged to support theexport of associated objects through a path of transformations withinthe data lineage to an external source for the data. According to anembodiment, an associated object mapping table can store data about oneor more links between associated objects and either data elements ordata records. A data lineage propagation module (such as data lineagepropagation module of FIG. 2) can identify an association with theassociated object and the data element (or data record) where theassociated object is created as a primary link, and can further storethe primary link within the associated object mapping table. The datalineage propagation module can further create and store secondary linksto source and target data elements/data records of the primary dataelement (or data record). This can provide efficient visualization ofthe associated object when a user of a system is viewing source ortarget data as well as when the user views the primary data element (ordata record). Thus, according to the embodiment, each associated objectcan have one primary link, and can have one or more secondary links.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an associated object mapping table900, according to an embodiment of the invention. Associated objectmapping table 900 can store data regarding one or more links betweenassociated objects and either data elements or data records. Associatedobject mapping table 900 can store data regarding a primary link betweenan associated object and a data element (or data record), where theprimary link identifies that the associated object was created for(i.e., originally associated with) the data element (or data record).Further, associated object mapping table 900 can store data regarding asecondary link between an associated object and a data element (or datarecord), where the secondary link identifies that that the data element(or data record) is either a source or target data element (or datarecord) of a primary data element (or data record) that is associatedwith the associated object. The data regarding a primary link between anassociated object and a data element, and the data regarding one or moresecondary links between an associated object and one or more dataelements can be used to obtain an association of an upstream ordownstream data element with the associated object. Further, theassociation can be obtained without traversing a data lineage to detectan existence of the associated object.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9, associated object mapping table900 includes an “OPOOBJ_ID” column which corresponds to an associatedobject identity (i.e., identifies an associated object). Associatedobject mapping table 900 further includes an “OPOOBJ_TYPE_ID” columnwhich corresponds to an associated object type identity (i.e.,identifies a type of the associated object). In alternate embodiments,an identity of an associated object can be a complex identity thatincludes an identity value, and at least one value.

According to the illustrated embodiment, associated object mapping table900 further includes a “DM_OBJ_ID” column which corresponds to a dataelement model identity (i.e., identifies a data model of a data table ofa data element that the associated object is associated with).Associated object mapping table 900 also includes a “TAB_OBJ_ID” columnwhich corresponds to a data element table identity (i.e., identifies adata table of a data element that the associated object is associatedwith). Associated object mapping table 900 further includes a“COL_OBJ_ID” column which corresponds to a data element column identity(i.e., identifies a column of a data element that the associated objectis associated with). Associated object mapping table 900 also includes a“SKEY_VALUE” column which corresponds to a data element data recordidentity (i.e., identifies a data record of a data element that theassociated object is associated with). The data element data recordidentity is also a surrogate key.

According to the illustrated embodiment, associated object mapping table900 also includes an “IS_PRIMARY_RC” column which identifies whether theassociation between the associated object and the data element is aprimary link or a secondary link. Associated object mapping table 900further includes an “IS_RECORD_LEVEL_RC” column which identifies whetherthe associated object is associated with a data element or a datarecord. Associated object mapping table 900 also includes a“PREFERRED_ROUTE_RC” column which identifies whether the data element isa preferred source data element for the associated object, and whosevalue is inherited from data lineage mapping table 600. Associatedobject mapping table 900 further includes a “TRACE_TO_RC” column whichidentified whether a link between the associated object and the dataelement is a primary link, a upstream secondary link, or a downstreamprimary link.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a physical model of an associatedinformation subsystem, according to an embodiment of the invention. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, the physical model includesassociated object mapping table 900 of FIG. 9. The physical modelfurther includes associated object component 1000 which includes datarepresenting one or more associated objects. In one embodiment,associated object component 1000 can include a table that includes datarepresenting one or more associated object types (e.g., a“DME_OPERATIONAL_OBJECT_TYPE” table in FIG. 10). According to theembodiment, associated object component 1000 can further include one ormore tables that include data representing one or more associatedobjects of a specified associated object type. In the illustratedembodiment, a “CDR_DISCREPANCY” table includes data representing one ormore associated objects that are discrepancies, a “CDR_FLAG” tableincludes data representing one or more associated objects that arestatus flags, and a “CDR_COMMENT” table includes data representing oneor more associated objects that are comments. Additionally, the physicalmodel includes table definition component 1010, which includes tabledefinitions for one or more source tables and one or more target tables.In the illustrated embodiment, table definition component 1010 caninclude one or more table definitions at the data model level (e.g., a“CDR_MODEL” table in FIG. 10), one or more table definitions at thetable level (e.g., a “CDR_TABLE,” table in FIG. 10), and one or moretable definitions at the column level (e.g., a “CDR_COLUMN” table inFIG. 10).

According to an embodiment, a user of a system, or an automatic programexecuted within the system, can select a data element, and create anassociated object, such as a discrepancy, related to the selected dataelement. The system can call a data lineage propagation module (such asdata lineage propagation module of FIG. 2), and the data lineagepropagation module can create a primary association between the newassociated object and the selected data element (identified as a primarylink). The data lineage propagation module can further store the primaryassociation (i.e., the primary link) within associated object mappingtable 900. The data lineage propagation module can further create one ormore secondary associations between the new associated object and one ormore source data elements and/or target data elements by tracing a fulldata lineage path from the selected data element to the one or moresource data elements and/or target data elements. The data lineagepropagation module can further store the one or more secondaryassociations (i.e., the one or more secondary links) within associatedobject mapping table 900. In certain scenarios, when tracing upstream tosource data elements, multiple source data elements may be mapped to asingle target data element. A source data element which is a preferredsource data element for the associated object can be identified as suchin associated object mapping table 900. The preferred source dataelement can be identified as a preferred path, and the preferred pathdata lineage tracing information can be stored in a data lineage mappingtable (such as data lineage mapping table 600 of FIGS. 6 and 8).

According to an embodiment, the system can display a presence of anassociated object in a display of a data model of a data table in whichthe associated object was created (or otherwise associated) using theprimary link stored within associated object mapping table 900. Thesystem can further display the associated object in upstream and/ordownstream data models using the one or more secondary links storedwithin associated object mapping table 900. When there are multiplesource data elements for a particular target data element, the systemcan mark one or more preferred source data elements as a preferred path.When the system displays a data model, the system can also display theone or more associated objects associated with each data element of thedata table of the data model, whether the associated object isassociated with the data element by a primary link or a secondary link.

In one embodiment, when a data record is deleted that contains a dataelement with a primary link to an associated object, a state of theassociated object can be modified to a closed state. The data for theassociated object can be removed from associated object mapping table900. Alternatively, the data for the associated object can be retainedwithin associated object mapping table 900, but modified to indicatethat the data has been “virtually deleted” (such as associating a“deleted” flag or a timestamp with the data). The associated object canbe retained, rather than deleted, and saved for auditing purposes. If adata element associated with an associated object via a primary link isdeleted, the primary and all secondary links to the associated objectcan be deleted, and a state of the associated object can be modified toa closed state. If a data element associated with an associated objectvia a secondary link is deleted, the secondary link can be deleted.

Additional aspects of tracing a data lineage, as well as propagatingvisibility of associated information (i.e., associated objects), are nowdescribed in greater detail, according to certain embodiments. Incertain embodiments, a system can support user or system navigation fromany data field on any data record back through source datafields/records in a source-side data lineage until the data lineagereaches source data records/fields that originated in an external system(i.e., source system). The system can then allow the user to choose asource data record (or data field) on which to act. Examples of actionsare sending a query or message to the source system about a data record(or data field) value, sending a document, invoking an API that candirectly or indirectly take an action on the source system, and openingan application window of the source system with the source datarecord/field or its manifestation in the source system in context.

An extension to the above functionality involves transformationdefinition metadata that defines a “preferred source path” from eachtable (or column) to an immediately preceding source table (or column).This preferred path enables the system to select a single branch of thesource lineage at a data record (or data field) that originated in anexternal system without the user having to explicitly navigate thesource data lineage. The system is then able to take the actionsdescribed above on that data record (or data field) in the externalsystem.

In other certain embodiments, when displaying data records and theirdata fields in a user interface, such as a tabular display or aformatted form including displayed fields, an optimized index ofassociated information (i.e., one or more associated objects), such asan associated object mapping table, can be used to provide a visualindication, such as highlighting or an icon, that associated informationis present, for data records and/or data fields that are associated withthe associated information.

The system can also allow the user to restrict the information displayedto a subset of the associated information (i.e., one or more associatedobjects) by some attribute of that information. Examples include typesof associated objects (such as discrepancies, error reports, documents,comments) and subtypes of a particular type of associated objects (suchas types of documents, statuses of error reports, or categories of tagsor status flags). This functionality can be optimized by including,within an associated object table that associates the data record (ordata field) with the associated object to all other related data records(or fields), information about the types or subtypes of the associatedobjects so that the system does not have to look beyond the table itselfto perform the restriction.

The system can also allow the user to restrict the associatedinformation (i.e., associated objects) displayed based on a relationshipof the data record (or data field) associated with the associated objectto the associated object currently displayed. Examples include onlydisplaying associated objects associated with data records (or datafields) upstream of the displayed data element in the data lineage, onlydisplaying associated objects associated with data records (or datafields) downstream of the displayed data element, only displayingassociated objects associated directly with displayed data elements (viaa primary link), or only displaying associated objects from a specificsource or target table or specific set of source tables or targettables. This can be optimized by including, in an associated objecttable that associates the data record (or data field) associated withthe associated object to all other related data records (or datafields), information about a relative position of each associated objectso that the system does not have to look beyond the table itself toperform the restriction.

According to certain embodiments, in order to display visual indicationsof associated information (i.e., associated objects), it can benecessary to efficiently associate each associated object to a specificdisplayed data field (or data record). In one embodiment, the system canperform the association by using the capabilities of a structured querylanguage (“SQL”) to first pivot on an identity for an associated datarecord such that each associated object is in a tabular format, where aname or identity of each column has the same tabular structure as theinformation being displayed, and where the data elements in the pivotedtable have a data value only when the associated object is present. Thesystem can then use the name or column identity match for a given datarecord identity between the actual data being displayed and the pivotedtable to efficiently turn on an indication of the associated object'spresence. In another embodiment, the system can perform the associationby separately retrieving the associated object into a localdata-structure that has an efficient access method to retrieveinformation about a particular data record identity or a particularcolumn identity. The system can then efficiently identify data recordsand data fields in the displayed data lineage by accessing this localdata structure using the data record identity or the column identity. Inone embodiment, for a data lineage of a data element, the system canalso display, for each data record (or data field) in the data lineage,the presence of one or more associated objects.

In certain embodiments, when a user interface of the system displaysindications of the presence of one or more associated objects, thesystem allows the user to invoke an action on a particular data record(or data field) using, for instance, a mouse click, a mouse right-clickand menu selection or cursor navigation to the target data record (ordata field) and a keyboard action. The invoked actions can includedisplaying lists of the associated objects and navigations to detailsabout the associated objects. For instance the system can display apopup table of associated comments with an indication for each datatable (or data field) to which the comment is attached. Another examplecan be to display a list of associated discrepancies which can be usedto select and display the detailed information about the discrepancy.Further, the system can instead place the user in an interface whetherthe user can take action on the associated object, such as responding toa comment or changing the status of a discrepancy.

In certain embodiments, the system can use security information aboutthe user's rights and the privileges necessary to access different typesof associated objects or the privileges needed to access associatedobjects attached to particular upstream or downstream data tables toeither restrict the visibility of associated objects in the userinterface, the level of detail about the associated objects available tothe user, or the ability of the user to take action upon the associatedobjects.

According to certain embodiments, the system can use the trackingtimestamp information associated with upstream or downstream datarecords and the associated objects (such as discrepancies or comments)that are associated with them to enable the user to understand whetherthe data before or after the data the user is currently viewing isconsistent with the upstream or downstream data. For instance, if a useris viewing a data element and invokes a function to show associatedcomments attached to data in the current data element's data lineage,the system can indicate whether the source data and associated commentsin the source data lineage are more recent than the data element andtherefore may reflect a change that has not yet propagated to thecurrent data table. Similarly, in the target data lineage, the user cansee whether data and associated comments are older than the current dataand therefore may reflect data that has not yet been updated to reflectchanges that have already been made to the current data element. Anothermanifestation of the same capability is where the user initiates anaction to raise a query on the preferred source data element associatedwith the current data and the system detects and alerts the user thatthe source data element has been modified more recently than the currentdata element. This functionality can prevent the user from taking actionthrough the lineage facility on data which may have already beenmodified.

As previously described, the system can minimize data storage throughthe use of surrogate keys and can optimize lookup performance throughthe use of a shadow table that extracts the source surrogate keys into asingle table for optimized lookup. According to one embodiment, analternative to this design does not require the generation and use ofsurrogate keys. In this embodiment, a full primary key of a source tableis stored within one or more target tables as a source key andadditional data fields on the target table are added to hold anyauxiliary information captured in the surrogate key such as pivot valuesor table-selectors associated with the source primary key fields. Inthis embodiment, system metadata describes each such source key and anyfunctions that operate using the surrogate key operate using the fullset of data fields that make up the source key. Further, theoptimization that extracts the surrogate key to the shadow table foroptimized query performance without having to query each individualtable, can be accomplished through the use of a similar shadow tablethat has a number of columns reserved for each source or target key thatare used as needed to hold the values for the components of each sourcekey. The system metadata about the key structure for each table wouldthen enable the system to construct queries against this single shadowtable by appropriate joins on the columns used by the particular tableto hold the full source key information. An appropriate concatenatedindex on the set of source keys and another on the set of target keyswould optimize performance using the single shadow table.

In certain embodiments, the system can act as an application generatorthat uses metadata descriptions of one or more applications to generateruntime elements of the data lineage. For example, there can be a userinterface in which a user defines a mapping between one or more sourcetables and a target table. The mapping can differ depending on a type oftransformation (e.g., join, pivot, or unpivot). A definition process canrecord the column-level mapping between one or more source data elementsand one or more target data element. Then, as part of deploying thetransformation, the system can: (a) add one or more auxiliary columns tothe target table before the target table is installed in the database,where the one or more auxiliary columns store one or more source keys;(b) record metadata mapping information about a relationship between theone or more source data elements and the target data element; and (c)generate the computer code that can be executed to perform thetransformation. The computer code can include logic to populate the oneor more source keys in the target table in order to record therelationship between the one or more source data elements and the targetdata element. According to certain embodiments, the generated computercode can be re-used in new application deployment of an identical, orsimilar, structure, without user intervention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a uniontransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. In theexample embodiment, source tables “LAB1,” “LAB2,” and “LAB3” (i.e.,source tables 1110, 1120, and 1130) are combined into target table“LAB_SUM” (i.e., target table 1140) via the union transformation.Further, in the example embodiment, a data lineage propagation module(such as data lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find sourcedata elements for the following target data element in target table1140: column “RBC” and data record identity (i.e., surrogate key)“[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1.” The data lineage propagation module can look up datalineage mapping table 1100 and find target table “LAB_SUM” (i.e., targettable 1130) as a target table, and column “RBC” as a target column, inthree system records: system records 9, 25, and 35. These three systemrecords have a transformation map type (i.e., column “TMAP_TYPE”) of“UNION” and they store their source surrogate keys in column“LAB_SUM.UNION_SRC_KEY,” shown in the “SRC_SKEY_COLNAME” column of datalineage mapping table 1100. In target table 1140, the data lineagepropagation module can look in the column “UNION_SRC_KEY” for the targetdata record. This column contains the value “[LAB1]˜103˜1˜LAB1,” andbecause this is a smart surrogate key, the first component in this value(i.e., “[LAB1]”) is the source table identity. Thus, the data lineagepropagation module can determine that the source table is source table“LAB1” (i.e., source table 1110). The data lineage propagation modulecan then return to the three system records found in data lineagemapping table 1100, and, equipped with the knowledge that the sourcetable is source table 1110, the data lineage propagation module canidentify the correct system record within data lineage mapping table1100: system record 9. Thus, the data lineage propagation module canidentify that the source data element is in source table 1110, in column“RBC” with a surrogate key value “[LAB1]˜103˜1˜LAB1.” The data lineagepropagation module can further identify that the source data value is“5.3.”

Further, in the example embodiment, the data lineage propagation modulecan find target data elements for the following source data element insource table 1110: column “RBC” and data record identity (i.e.,surrogate key) “[LAB1]˜103˜1˜LAB1.” The data lineage propagation modulecan look in data lineage mapping table 1100 and find source table “LAB1”(i.e., source table 1110) as a source table, and find column “RBC” as asource column, in system record 9. From this information, the datalineage propagation module can determine that it needs to look for thetarget data element in the “RBC” column of target table 1140. The datalineage propagation module can then search shadow table 1150 using thecombination of the target table “LAB_SUM,” the source table “LAB1,” theSRC_SKEY_COLNAME “UNION_SRC_SKEY,” and the source table surrogate key“[LAB1]˜103˜1˜LAB1,” to determine that the surrogate key of the desireddata record in target table 1140 is “[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1.” Thus, the datalineage propagation module can identify that the target data element isin target table 1110, in column “RBC” of the data record with asurrogate key value “[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1.” The data lineage propagationmodule can further identify that the target data value is “5.3.”

FIG. 12 illustrates an example source data lineage trace of a pivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. This is atransformation from a vertical source table “VS” (i.e., source table1210) to a horizontal target table “VITALS” (i.e., target table 1220).Source table 1210 has a pivot column identifying vital signs, column“VSTSTCD,” and the vital sign values are stored in column “VSORES.”There are five different vital sign values in the “VSTSTCD” column:“SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” “HEIGHT,” and “WEIGHT.” They are stored asfilter values (i.e., values in column “FILTER_VALUE”) in data lineagemapping table 1200, each with its corresponding column in target table1220. Further, in source table 1210, each smart surrogate key value(i.e., value in column “SK”) contains the filter value from its“VSTSTCD” column as the last component of the surrogate key value.Target table 1220 includes one column for each of the five vital signscollected: columns “SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” “HT,” and “WT.” The vitalsign values are stored in the appropriate column for each subject. Eachdata record in target table 1220 consumes five data records in sourcetable 1210; the filter values from the source column “VSTSTCD” in sourcetable 1210 (i.e., “SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” “HEIGHT,” and “WEIGHT”)are transformed into columns in target table 1220 (i.e., columns“SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” “HT,” and “WT”).

In the example embodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such asdata lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find source dataelements for the following target data element in target table 1220:column “PULSE” and data record identity (i.e., surrogatekey)“[VITALS]˜101˜2”. The data lineage propagation module can look updata lineage mapping table 1200 and find, for the target table “VITALS”(i.e., target table 1220), and a target column “PULSE,” only one systemrecord, system record 3 (identified in FIG. 12 as filtered data lineagemapping table 1230). This system record has a transformation map type of“PIVOT” for a TALL_SKINNY SOURCE table “VS” with a pivot column“VSTSTCD”, and a source data item column “VSORES.” The same systemrecord, system record 3, (identified in FIG. 12 as filtered data lineagemapping table 1230) defines a target record auxiliary column to get asource record surrogate key value as “VS_SK1.” According to thealgorithm, a value from this column (“[VS]˜101˜2”) can be combined by adata lineage propagation module (such as data lineage propagation module200 of FIG. 2) with the filter value “PULSE” (i.e. “[VS]˜101˜2˜PULSE”)to find a correct record in the source table Thus, the data lineagepropagation module can further identify that the source data value is“68.”

FIG. 13 illustrates an example target data lineage trace of a pivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. As previousdescribed, this is a transformation from a vertical source table “VS”(i.e., source table 1210 of FIG. 12), to a horizontal target table“VITALS” (i.e., target table 1220 of FIG. 12). In the exampleembodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such as data lineagepropagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find target data elements for thefollowing source data element in source table 1210: column “VSORES” anddata record identity (i.e., surrogate key) “[VS]˜101˜2˜PULSE.” The datalineage propagation module can look in data lineage mapping table 1200of FIG. 12 and find column “VSORES” as a source column in five systemrecords: system records 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The data lineage propagationmodule can then filter the system records in data lineage mapping table1200 using the source data record data value in column “VSTSTCD” (i.e.,“PULSE”) to determine the correct system record in data lineage mappingtable 1200. Thus, the data lineage propagation module can identifysystem record 3 as the correct system record in data lineage mappingtable 1200 (identified in FIG. 13 as filtered data lineage mapping table1300). From this information, the data lineage propagation module candetermine that it needs to look for the target data element in the“PULSE” column of target table 1220. According to the algorithm for thepivot transformation, the data lineage propagation module can remove thefilter value from the source surrogate key value, and can then searchshadow table 1310 using the surrogate key “[VS˜101˜2],” and determinethat the surrogate key of the desired data record in target table 1220is “[VITALS]˜101˜2.” Thus, the data lineage propagation module canidentify that the target data element is in target table 1220, in column“PULSE” with a surrogate key value “[VITALS]˜101˜2.” The data lineagepropagation module can further identify that the target data value is“68.”

FIG. 14 illustrates an example source data lineage trace of an unpivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. This is atransformation from a horizontal source table “VITALS” (i.e., sourcetable 1410) to a vertical target table “VS” (i.e., target table 1420).Source table 1410 has one column for each of the five vital signalscollected: columns “SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” “HT,” and “WT.” The vitalsign values are stored in an appropriate column for each subject. Targettable 1420 has a pivot column identifying vital signs, column “VSTSTCD,”and the vital sign values are stored in column “VSORES.” There are fivedifferent vital sign values in the “VSTSTCD” column: “SYSBP,” DIASBP,”“PULSE,” “HEIGHT,” and “WEIGHT.” These are stored as filter values(i.e., values in column “FILTER_VALUE”) in data lineage mapping table1400, each with its corresponding column in source table 1410.Additionally, in data lineage mapping table 1400, the target table “VS”is marked as a “tall skinny” table. In target table 1420, each smartsurrogate key value (i.e., value of column “SK”) contains the filtervalue from its “VSTSTCD” column as the last component of the surrogatekey value. Each data record in source table 1410 is transformed intofive data records in target table 1420. Each of the five vital signcolumns in source table 1410 (i.e., columns “SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,”“HT,” and “WT”) become filter values in the column “VSTSTCD” of targettable 1420 (i.e., “SYSBP,” “DIASBP,” “PULSE,” HEIGHT,” AND “WEIGHT”).

In the example embodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such asdata lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find source dataelements for the following target data element in target table 1420:column “VSORES” and data record identity (i.e., surrogate key)“[VS]˜101˜2˜PULSE.” The data lineage propagation module can look in datalineage mapping table 1400 and find target table “VS” (i.e., targettable 1420) as a target table, and find column “VSORES” as a targetcolumn, in five system records: system records 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Targetcolumn “VSTSTCD” is marked as target table “VS” pivot column. The datalineage propagation module can then filter the system records in datalineage mapping table 1400 using the target data record data value incolumn “VSTSTCD” (i.e., “PULSE”) to determine the correct system recordin data lineage mapping table 1400. Thus, the data lineage propagationmodule can identify system record 3 as the correct system record in datalineage mapping table 1400 (identified in FIG. 14 as filtered datalineage mapping table 1430). This system record has a transformation maptype (i.e., column “TMAP_TYPE”) of “UNPIVOT”, a pivot column (i.e.,column “PIVOT_COL”) of “VSTSTCD,” a source table (i.e., column“SRC_TAB”) of “VITALS,” and a source column (i.e., column “SRC_COL”) of“PULSE.” From the source surrogate key value (i.e., column “VITALS_SK1”)of target table 1420, the data lineage propagation module can determinethat the surrogate key of the source data record is “[VITALS]˜101˜2.”Thus, the data lineage propagation module can identify that the sourcedata element is in source table 1410, in column “PULSE” with a surrogatekey value “[VITALS]˜101˜2.” The data lineage propagation module canfurther identify that the source data value is “68.”

FIG. 15 illustrates an example target data lineage trace of an unpivottransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. Aspreviously described, this is a transformation from a horizontal sourcetable “VITALS” (i.e., source table 1410 of FIG. 14), to a verticaltarget table “VS” (i.e., target table 1420 of FIG. 14). In the exampleembodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such as data lineagepropagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find target data elements for thefollowing source data element in source table 1410: column “PULSE” anddata record identity (i.e., surrogate key) “[VITALS]˜101˜2.” The datalineage propagation module can look up data lineage mapping table 1400of FIG. 14 and find source table “VITALS” (i.e., source table 1410) as asource table, and find column “PULSE” as a source column, in systemrecord 3 (identified in FIG. 15 as filtered data lineage mapping table1500). This system record has a transformation map type (i.e., column“TMAP_TYPE”) of “UNPIVOT”, a pivot column (i.e., column “PIVOT_COL”) of“VSTSTCD,” a target table (i.e., column “TRG_TAB”) of “VS,” and a targetcolumn (i.e., column “TRG_COL”) of “VSORES.” From this information, thedata lineage propagation module can determine that it needs to look forthe target data element in the “VSORES” column of target table 1420. Thedata lineage propagation module can then search shadow table 1510 usingsurrogate key “[VITALS]˜101˜2” of source table 1410, and determine thatthe surrogate key of the desired data record in target table 1420 is“[VS]˜101˜2˜PULSE.” To decrease the number of records in the shadowtable, a data lineage propagation module (such as data lineagepropagation module 200 of FIG. 2), for the unpivot transformations,stores an abbreviated value in column “TRG_SKEY_VALUE,” i.e. withoutfilter value. The data lineage propagation module then appends a filtervalue to the value in column “TRG_SKEY_VALUE” retrieved from the shadowtable before using it as a target record identifier. Thus, the datalineage propagation module can identify that the target data element isin target table 1420, in column “VSORES” with a surrogate key value“[VS]˜101˜2˜PULSE.” The data lineage propagation module can furtheridentify that the target data value is “68.”

FIG. 16 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a jointransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. In theexample embodiment, source tables “DM” and “LAB1” (i.e., source tables1610 and 1620) are joined to form target table “LAB1_SUM”) (i.e., targettable 1630). Data lineage mapping table 1600 includes a system recordfor each column of target table 1630. Each system record includes asource table identity (i.e., column “SRC_TAB”), a source column identity(i.e., column “SRC_COL”), and a source surrogate key column identity(i.e., column “SRC_SKEY_COLNAME”). The source surrogate key column is anauxiliary column added to target table 1630 to store the sourcesurrogate key for the data record in either source table 1610 (i.e.,column “DM_SKEY”) or source table 1620 (i.e., column “LAB1_SKEY”) thatcontributed to the data record in target table 1620. For a jointransformation, there is a source surrogate key auxiliary column foreach table that contributes to the join, which are two tables (i.e.,source tables 1610 and 1620) in this example. Source table 1610 includesdata records representing demographic data for each study subject in thefollowing columns: columns “AGE,” “AGE_U,” and “GENDER.” Source table1620 includes data records representing results for lab tests fordifferent subjects in the following columns: columns “RBC,”“HEMOGLOBIN,” and “HEMATOCRIT.” These two tables are joined to createtarget table 1630. Each data record of target table 1630 includes valuesfrom each source table of source tables 1610 and 1620. Therefore, eachdata record of target table 1630 stores two source surrogate key values(i.e., one source surrogate key value from each contributing sourcetable). These source surrogate key values are stored in column“DM_SKEY,” and column “LAB1_SKEY.”

In the example embodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such asdata lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find source dataelements for the following target data element in target table 1630:column “HEMOGLOBIN” and data record identity (i.e., surrogate key)“[LAB1_SUM]˜105˜1˜LAB1.” The data lineage propagation module can look updata lineage mapping table 1600 and find target table “LAB1_SUM” (i.e.,target table 1630) as a target table, and find column “HEMOGLOBIN” as atarget column, in system record 10. From this, the data lineagepropagation module knows that the source data element is in source table“LAB1” (i.e., source table 1620) and source column “HEMOGLOBIN.” Thedata lineage propagation module also knows that the source surrogate keyvalue is found in the column “LAB1_SKEY” of target table 1630. In targettable 1630, the data lineage propagation module can look in the column“LAB1_SKEY” for the target data record. This column contains thesurrogate key value “[LAB1]˜105˜1˜LAB1,” and the data lineagepropagation module knows the source table, source column, and thesurrogate key value. Thus, the data lineage propagation module canidentify that the source data element is in source table 1620, in column“HEMOGLOBIN” with a surrogate key value “[LAB1]˜105˜1˜LAB1.” The datalineage propagation module can further identify that the source datavalue is “111.”

Further, in the example embodiment, the data lineage propagation modulecan find target data elements for the following source data element insource table 1620: column “HEMOGLOBIN” and data record identity (i.e.,surrogate key) “[LAB1]˜105˜1˜LAB1.” The data lineage propagation modulecan look up data lineage mapping table 1600 and find source table “LAB1”(i.e., source table 1620) as a source table, and find column“HEMOGLOBIN” as a source column, in system record 10. From thisinformation, the data lineage propagation module can determine that itneeds to look for the target data element in the “HEMOGLOBIN” column oftarget table “LAB1_SUM” (i.e., target table 1630). The data lineagepropagation module can then search shadow table 1640 using surrogate key“[LAB1]˜105˜1˜LAB1” of source table 1620, and determine that thesurrogate key of the desired data record in target table 1630 is“[LAB1_SUM]˜105˜1˜LAB1.” Thus, the data lineage propagation module canidentify that the target data element is in target table 1630, in column“HEMOGLOBIN” with a surrogate key value “[LAB1_SUM]˜105˜1˜LAB1.” Thedata lineage propagation module can further identify that the targetdata value is “111.”

FIG. 17 illustrates an example data lineage trace of a casetransformation, according to an embodiment of the invention. In theexample embodiment, source table “NRANGE” (i.e., source table 1710)includes normal range values for different blood tests for eachdemographic group. Source table “LAB” (i.e., source table 1720) includeslab test results for a group of subjects. Target table “LAB_SUM” (i.e.,target table 1730) includes columns from source table 1720, plus columnscontaining a corresponding normal range and normal range unit fromsource table 1710. Target table 1730 further includes auxiliary columns:one filter column (i.e., column “CASE_FVAL”) and two source surrogatekey columns (i.e., columns “LAB_SKEY” and “NRANGE_SKEY”).

In the example embodiment, a data lineage propagation module (such asdata lineage propagation module 200 of FIG. 2) can find source dataelements for the following target data element in target table 1730:column “RBC_NR” and data record identity (i.e., surrogate key)“[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1.” The data lineage propagation module can look up datalineage mapping table 1700 and find target table “LAB_SUM” (i.e., targettable 1730) as a target table, and find column “RBC_NR” as a targetcolumn, in four system records: system records 11, 12, 13, and 14. Thesefour system records have a transformation map type (i.e., column“TMAP_TYPE”) of “CASE.” The data lineage propagation module uses twoauxiliary columns in target table 1730 to determine the correct systemrecord in data lineage mapping table 1700: column “NRANGE_SKEY” andcolumn “CASE_FVAL”). Column “NRANGE_SKEY” stores a source tablesurrogate key, and has a corresponding identity in data lineage mappingtable 1700 (i.e., column “SRC_SKEY_COLNAME.” Column “CASE_FVAL” stores acase condition clause tag, and has a corresponding identity in datalineage mapping table 1700 (i.e., column “FILTER_COL”). The data lineagepropagation module can determine that the data record in target table1730 includes the value “MALE” in the filter column (i.e., COLUMN“CASE_FVAL”). The data lineage propagation module can further determinethat the correct system record in data lineage mapping table 1700 is thesystem record with the matching identity in the “FILTER_VAL” column.Thus, from the four system records, the data lineage propagation modulecan determine that the system record that includes “MALE” in the“FILTER_VAL” column is system record 11. Thus, the source data elementis from source table “NRANGE” (i.e., source table 1710), and has thecolumn “MALE.” The data lineage propagation module can further determinethat the source surrogate key value is located in column “NRANGE_SKEY”of target table 1730, and that the source surrogate key value is“[NRANGE]˜LAB1˜RBC.” The data lineage propagation module can furtherdetermine that the source data value is “4.7-6.1.”

Further, in the example embodiment, the data lineage propagation modulecan find target data elements for the following source data element insource table 1710: column “MALE” and data record identity (i.e.,surrogate key) “[NRANGE]˜LAB1˜RBC.” The data lineage propagation modulecan look up data lineage mapping table 1700 and find source table“NRANGE”) (i.e., source table 1710) as a source table, and find column“MALE” as a source column, in system record 11. From this information,the data lineage propagation module can determine that it needs to lookfor the target data element in the “RBC_NR” column of target table“LAB_SUM”(i.e., target table 1730). The data lineage propagation modulecan then search shadow table 1740 using surrogate key“[NRANGE]˜LAB1˜RBC” of source table 1710 and determine that thesurrogate keys of the desired data records in target table 1730 are“[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1” and “[LAB_SUM]˜104˜1.” Thus, the data lineagepropagation module can identify that the two target data elements are intarget table 1730, in column “RBC_NR” with surrogate key values“[LAB_SUM]˜103˜1,” and “[LAB_SUM]˜104˜1.” The data lineage propagationmodule can further identify that the target data value for both of thesetarget data elements is “4.7-6.1.”

FIG. 18 illustrates a flow diagram of the functionality of a datalineage module (such as a data lineage module that is part of functionalmodules 18 of FIG. 1), according to an embodiment of the invention. Inone embodiment, the functionality of the flow diagram of FIG. 18(described below), as well as the functionality of the flow diagram ofFIG. 19 (also described below), are each implemented by software storedin a memory or some other computer-readable or tangible medium, andexecuted by a processor. In other embodiments, each functionality may beperformed by hardware (e.g., through the use of an application specificintegrated circuit (“ASIC”), a programmable gate array (“PGA”), a fieldprogrammable gate array (“FPGA”), etc.), or any combination of hardwareand software.

The flow begins and proceeds to 1805. At 1805, a target data element ismapped to one or more source data elements, as part of a data lineage ofa data warehouse including one or more data tables, where each datatable includes one or more data records. The target data elementincludes a column of a target data record. Each source data elementincludes a column of a source data record. The target data element isderived from the one or more source data elements using a datatransformation. In one embodiment, the data warehouse includes one ormore ordered data models. Each ordered data model includes one or moredata tables. Further, one or more data tables of a subsequent data modelare formed from at least one table of a previous data model using a datatransformation. In one embodiment, the data transformation is one of: adirect mapping transformation, a union transformation, a jointransformation, a horizontal to vertical unpivot transformation, avertical to horizontal pivot transformation, or a case transformation.The flow proceeds to 1810.

At 1810, one or more source surrogate keys are stored within one or moreauxiliary columns of the target data record. Each source surrogate keyincludes an identity of the source data record that includes acorresponding source data element. In one embodiment, each surrogate keyof the one or more surrogate keys includes an identity of a source datatable that comprises the source data record. In one embodiment, the oneor more auxiliary columns are automatically added to the target datarecord based on the mapping of the target data element to the one ormore source data elements. The flow proceeds to 1815.

At 1815, for each source data element, a data lineage mapping systemrecord is stored within a data lineage mapping system table thatrepresents the mapping of the target data element and the correspondingsource data element. The data lineage mapping system record includes thecorresponding source data element, the target data element, and the oneor more auxiliary columns. According to the embodiment, the data lineagemapping system record also includes a type of the data transformation.The flow proceeds to 1820.

At 1820, a source data element is mapped to one or more target dataelements, as part of the data lineage. The one or more target dataelements are derived from the source data element using a datatransformation. The flow proceeds to 1825.

At 1825, for each target data element, a shadow system record is storedwithin a shadow system table that represents the mapping of the sourcedata element and the corresponding target data element. The shadowsystem record includes a source surrogate key that identifies the sourcedata element, a target surrogate key that identifies the correspondingtarget data element, and the one or more auxiliary columns. Thus,according to the embodiment, the data lineage includes the one or moredata lineage mapping system records, the one or more shadow systemrecords, and the one or more source surrogate keys. The flow proceeds to1830.

At 1830, a data element is selected from the one or more data elementsthat are mapped using the data lineage. The flow proceeds to 1835.

At 1835, one or more data elements that are mapped to the selected dataelement are displayed within a user interface using the data lineage. Inone embodiment, the displaying of the one or more data elements that aremapped to the selected data element further includes, displaying, foreach data element, a position of the data element within the datalineage. The flow proceeds to 1840.

At 1840, for each target data element, one source data element of theone or more source data elements is selected as a preferred source dataelement. The flow proceeds to 1845.

At 1845, a preferred source path of the data lineage is created based onthe selected one or more preferred source data elements. The flowproceeds to 1850.

At 1850, a pivot column identity is stored within an auxiliary column ofthe target data record. The pivot column identity identifies a pivotcolumn of the source data record. The flow proceeds to 1855.

At 1855, a filter column identity is stored within a first auxiliarycolumn of the target data record. The filter column identity identifiesa filter column of the source data record. The flow proceeds to 1860.

At 1860, a filter value is stored within a second auxiliary column ofthe target data record, wherein the filter value is a filter value ofthe source data record. The flow then ends.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow diagram of the functionality of an associatedinformation propagation module (such as associated informationpropagation module 16 of FIG. 1), according to an embodiment of theinvention. The flow begins at 1905. At 1905, tracing a data lineage of adata warehouse is traced. The data warehouse includes one or more datatables. Each data table includes one or more data records. In oneembodiment, the data warehouse includes one or more ordered data models.Each ordered data model includes one or more data tables. Further, oneor more data tables of a subsequent data model are formed from at leasttable of a previous data model using a data transformation. In oneembodiment, the data transformation is one of: a direct mappingtransformation, a union transformation, a join transformation, ahorizontal to vertical unpivot transformation, a vertical to horizontalpivot transformation, or a case transformation. The flow proceeds to1910.

At 1910, an association between a primary data element and an associatedobject is identified. The primary data element includes a column of aprimary data record. The associated object comprises associatedinformation. The association between the primary data element and theassociated object is identified as a primary link. In one embodiment,the associated object is one of: a discrepancy, a comment, a statusflag, a state indicator, a tag, an image, a recording, a file, a link,or a document. Also, in one embodiment, instead of the primary dataelement including a column of the primary data record, the primary dataelement includes the primary data record.

At 1915, a first associated object mapping system record is storedwithin an associated object mapping system table that represents theprimary link. The first associated object mapping system record includesan identity of the primary data element, an identity of the associatedobject, and a primary link indicator. In one embodiment, the firstassociated object mapping system record includes a data element modelidentity that identifies a data model of the primary data element, adata element table identity that identifies a data table of the primarydata element, and a data element column identity that identifies acolumn of the primary data element. The flow proceeds to 1920.

At 1920, an association between a secondary data element and theassociated object is identified using the data lineage. The secondarydata element includes a column of a secondary data record. The secondarydata element is related to the primary data element within the datalineage. The association between the secondary data element and theassociated object is identified as a secondary link. In one embodiment,the secondary data element is a source data element of the primary dataelement. Also in one embodiment, the identity of the primary dataelement and the identity of the secondary data element are eachsurrogate keys. Further, in one embodiment, instead of the secondarydata element including a column of the secondary data record, thesecondary data element includes the secondary data record. In oneembodiment, the association between the secondary data element and theassociated object is identified by using the data lineage to identifythe secondary data element based on the primary data element. In anembodiment, additional associations between additional secondary dataelements and the associated object are also identified using the datalineage. The flow proceeds to 1925.

At 1925, a second associated object mapping system record is storedwithin the associated object mapping system table that represents thesecondary link, and that represents an association between the primarydata element and the secondary data element. The second associatedobject mapping system record includes an identity of the secondary dataelement, an identity of the associated object, and a secondary linkindicator. In one embodiment, the second associated object mappingsystem record includes a data element model identity that identifies adata model of the secondary data element, a data element table identitythat identifies a data table of the secondary data element, and a dataelement column identity that identifies a column of the secondary dataelement. Further, in one embodiment, the second associated objectmapping system record includes an indication that the secondary dataelement is a preferred source data element. In an embodiment whereadditional associations between additional secondary data elements andthe associated object are also identified using the data lineage,additional associated object mapping system records are stored withinthe associated object mapping system table. The flow proceeds to 1930.

At 1930, the primary data element or the secondary data element isdisplayed within a user interface. In one embodiment, both the primarydata element and the secondary data element are displayed within theuser interface. The flow then proceeds to 1935.

At 1935, either the primary data element or the secondary data elementis selected. The flow then proceeds to 1940.

At 1940, the associated object is displayed within the user interfaceusing either the first associated object mapping system record or thesecond associated object mapping system record. More specifically, ifthe primary data element is selected, the associated object is displayedwithin the user interface using the first associated object mappingsystem record. If the secondary data element is selected, the associatedobject is displayed within the user interface using the secondassociated object mapping system record. In one embodiment, the displayof the associated object is filtered by an associated object type. Theflow proceeds to 1945.

At 1945, the primary data element is deleted. The flow proceeds to 1950.

At 1950, the first associated object mapping system record is deleted.The flow proceeds to 1955.

At 1955, the second associated object mapping system record is deleted.The flow proceeds to 1960.

At 1960, a state of the associated object is modified to a closed state.The flow ends.

Thus, in one embodiment, a system can be provided that can provide adata lineage trace of a set of data that can be stored within a datawarehouse, where the set of data is stored within one or more tables,and where each table includes one or more data records. For a giventarget data element, the system can identify a set of source dataelements that produced the target data element, where a “data element”includes a column of a data record. Similarly, for a given source dataelement, the system can identify an set of target data elements that arederived from the source data element as well as a path from the sourcedata element to the set of target data elements. The data lineage traceprovided by the system can further facilitate an in-depth analysis ofthe stored data.

Further, in another embodiment, a system can be provided that canleverage a data lineage trace to support the visibility of “associatedinformation” or “associated objects” that are linked to data elements,and to propagate the associated information (i.e., associated objects)to related source data elements and target data elements. According tothe embodiment, the system can store both primary links and secondarylinks between associated objects and the data elements or data recordsassociated with the associated object. Thus, according to theembodiment, an associated object, such as a discrepancy, can be visibleboth upstream of the data element and downstream of the data elementwithin the data lineage. This associated object visibility can furtherfacilitate an in-depth analysis of the stored data.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention describedthroughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. For example, the usage of “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “certain embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” orother similar language, throughout this specification refers to the factthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment may be included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “a certain embodiment,” “certainembodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specificationdo not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and thedescribed features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that theinvention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a differentorder, and/or with elements in configurations which are different thanthose which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has beendescribed based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparentto those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, andalternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within thespirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes andbounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to propagate visibility of associated information, the propagating comprising: tracing a data lineage of a data warehouse comprising one or more data tables; storing a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents an association between a primary data element of the data lineage and an associated object, wherein the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link; identifying an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage; and storing a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the association between the secondary data element of the data lineage and the associated object and that represents an association between the primary data element and the secondary data element, wherein the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link; wherein the associated object comprises information other than a data element of the data lineage.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein each data table comprises one or more data records; wherein the primary data element comprises a column of a primary data record; wherein the associated object comprises associated information; wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises an identity of the primary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a primary link indicator; wherein the secondary data element comprises a column of a secondary data record; and wherein the second associated object mapping record comprises an identity of the secondary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a secondary link indicator.
 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the primary data element comprises the primary data record; and wherein the secondary data element comprises the secondary data record.
 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, the propagating further comprising: displaying the primary data element or the secondary data element within a user interface; selecting either the primary data element or the secondary data element; and displaying the associated object within the user interface using either the first associated object mapping system record or the second associated object mapping system record.
 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the display of the associated object is filtered by an associated object type.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the primary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the primary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the primary data element; and wherein the second associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the secondary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the secondary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the secondary data element.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the associated object is one of: a discrepancy, a comment, a status flag, a state indicator, a tag, an image, a recording, a file, a link, or a document.
 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the secondary data element is a source data element of the primary data element.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the second associated object mapping record comprises an indication that the secondary data element is a preferred source data element.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identity of the primary data element and the identity of the secondary data element are each surrogate keys.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, the propagating further comprising: deleting the primary data element; deleting the first associated object mapping record; deleting the second associated object mapping record; and modifying a state of the associated object to a closed state.
 12. A computer-implemented method for propagating visibility of associated information, the computer-implemented method comprising: tracing a data lineage of a data warehouse comprising one or more data tables; storing a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents an association between a primary data element of the data lineage and an associated object, wherein the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link; identifying an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage; and storing a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the association between the secondary data element of the data lineage and the associated object and that represents an association between the primary data element and the secondary data element, wherein the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link; wherein the associated object comprises information other than a data element of the data lineage.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein each data table comprises one or more data records; wherein the primary data element comprises a column of a primary data record; wherein the associated object comprises associated information; wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises an identity of the primary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a primary link indicator; wherein the secondary data element comprises a column of a secondary data record; wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage, and wherein the second associated object mapping record comprises an identity of the secondary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a secondary link indicator.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising: displaying the primary data element or the secondary data element within a user interface; selecting either the primary data element or the secondary data element; and displaying the associated object within the user interface using either the first associated object mapping system record or the second associated object mapping system record.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the display of the associated object is filtered by an associated object type.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the primary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the primary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the primary data element; and wherein the second associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the secondary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the secondary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the secondary data element.
 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the associated object is one of: a discrepancy, a comment, a status flag, a state indicator, a tag, an image, a recording, a file, a link, or a document.
 18. A system for propagating visibility of associated information, the system comprising: a processor; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; a data lineage module configured to trace a data lineage of a data warehouse comprising one or more data tables; an associated information storage module configured to store a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents an association between a primary data element of the data lineage and an associated object, wherein the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link; an associated information identification module configured to identify an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage; and wherein the associated information storage module is further configured to store a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the association between the secondary data element of the data lineage and the associated object and that represents an association between the primary data element and the secondary data element, wherein the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link; wherein the associated object comprises information other than a data element of the data lineage.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein each data table comprises one or more data records; wherein the primary data element comprises a column of a primary data record; wherein the associated object comprises associated information; wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises an identity of the primary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a primary link indicator; wherein the secondary data element comprises a column of a secondary data record; wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage, and wherein the second associated object mapping record comprises an identity of the secondary data element, an identity of the associated object, and a secondary link indicator.
 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a data element display module configured to display the primary data element or the secondary data element within a user interface; a data element selection module configured to select either the primary data element or the secondary data element; and an associated object display module configured to display the associated object within the user interface using either the first associated object mapping record or the second associated object mapping record.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the display of the associated object is filtered by an associated object type.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the first associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the primary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the primary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the primary data element; and wherein the second associated object mapping system record comprises a data element model identity that identifies a data model of the secondary data element, a data element table identity that identifies a data table of the secondary data element, and a data element column identity that identifies a column of the secondary data element.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the associated object is one of: a discrepancy, a comment, a status flag, a state indicator, a tag, an image, a recording, a file, a link, or a document.
 24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to propagate visibility of associated information, the propagating comprising: tracing a data lineage of a data warehouse comprising one or more data tables; storing a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents an association between a primary data element of the data lineage and an associated object, wherein the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link; identifying an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, wherein the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage; storing a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the association between the secondary data element of the data lineage and the associated object and that represents an association between the primary data element and the secondary data element, wherein the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link; deleting the primary data element; deleting the first associated object mapping record; deleting the second associated object mapping record; and modifying a state of the associated object to a closed state. 